Principal Assistant Registrar, College of Education, Warri, Ebikabowei Kedikumo, has said Senator Ned Nwoko (APC-Delta) is challenging the status quo for the good of society.

Mr Kedikumo in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, said it was improper to perceive the lawmaker as an arrogant person.

He said the political climate in Delta State had heightened significantly since Mr Nwoko recent defection to the All Progressive Congress which rules at the federal level.

He added that the lawmaker referring to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State as a ‘boy’ while being welcomed into the APC by its leadership sparked the accusations of arrogance in some quarters.

He said that such a label, however, should invoke a deeper examination of Mr Nwoko’s background and the intricate social dynamics at play.

According to him, viewing this solely as arrogance overlooks the rich cultural tapestry of age, status, respect, and tradition that hold importance in many African societies.

“Within this framework Nwoko’s position as an elder contributes to his right to call the younger governor “boy,” a term that acknowledges their age difference rather than expressing contempt,” he said.

Mr Kedikumo said the lawmaker’s character was defined more by his advocacy for the people, commitment to integrity, and ambitious vision for development than labels of arrogance.

“His unique position within the political landscape of Delta highlights the flaws in a system that too often rewards sycophancy, dependency, and complacency at the expense of accountability and progress. In confronting these issues head-on, Nwoko stands out. Not just as a politician but as a progressive leader invested in the welfare of his people, challenging the status quo for the betterment of society, including Delta Ijaw communities. It is imperative for Delta Ijaw political leaders to take a page from Ned Nwoko’s playbook. His approach embodies the dedication and resolve necessary to genuinely represent the interests of the people,’’ he said.

He described Mr Nwoko as a man of the people whose examples served as a powerful reminder of quality leadership that could stimulate positive change and inspire a brighter future for Ijaws in Delta State.

(NAN)